Modern Capital

Sponsor Spotlight: Galaxie Modern

2009-12-19T11:46:00.014-05:00

With all this snow, it’s a perfect day to do some mid-century modern furniture shopping online. With that in mind, I’m happy to introduce a new Modern Capital sponsor, Galaxie Modern, located in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Galaxie Modern started as an exclusively online mid-century modern seller in 2007. This year, owners Amanda and John Wormuth forged partnerships with two other local mid-century modern dealers--Groovy Furniture and Loft3F--to open a showroom in historic downtown Lynchburg at 1225 Main Street. Amanda is responsible for research and design while John handles sales and acquisitions.

Galaxie Modern is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment. Don’t worry if you can’t make it down to Lynchburg. Galaxie Modern makes deliveries throughout the region, including frequent delivery trips to the D.C.-area.

So get some coffee or tea, pull up Galaxie Modern’s web site and check out Amanda and John’s inventory. I’ve been looking for a Knoll side table for our den for some time when I came across Galaxie Modern and found this table. Can’t wait to get the table from Amanda and John and to show you pictures of our den.

John and Amanda can be reached at (434) 401-3753 or via e-mail at john@galaxiemodern.com and mandy@galaxiemodern.com.

Happy shopping.

James Rossant, Reston Planner and Architect, Dies at 81

2009-12-19T07:57:00.012-05:00

Architect James Rossant, who planned Reston and designed Lake Anne Village Center along with William Conklin, died Tuesday at the age of 81.

Pulitzer Prize winning architecture critic Ada Louise Huxtable, in a 1965 front-page article in the New York Times, described Reston as "an attractive cross between an updated Georgetown and an Italian harbor town like Portofino." Indeed, the village center was designed by Rossant, who studied under Walter Gropius at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, to emulate the Italian coastal town.

A condo in the 1966 high-rise on Lake Anne by Rossant and Conklin is for sale here.

Goodman, Smith MCM Townhomes in Reston

2009-12-17T16:35:00.003-05:00

Here are two listings for Charles Goodman- and Chloethiel Woodard Smith-designed townhomes in Reston. Read an earlier post I did on the mid-century modern townhome architecture in the planned community in Northern Virginia.

1965 3/1.5 Hickory Cluster Goodman - $314K

1966 4/2.5 Coleson Cluster Smith - $435K (Read about Smith's Coleson Cluster here.)

Roundtable on Charles Goodman at River Park; Dec. 19

2009-12-15T13:31:00.007-05:00

Architect Gregory K. Hunt, a leading authority on Charles Goodman, will lead a roundtable discussion this Saturday about Goodman's River Park in Southwest. The free event (including breakfast refreshments) from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. will be held in the River Park South Common Room located here. Hunt, the founding dean of the School of Architecture at Marywood University and the former dean of the Catholic University School of Architecture, has been a long-time resident of Goodman's Hollin Hills in Virginia. From what I have read about Goodman, he was influenced by Mies van de Rohe and had many books in his library of the master's work. River Park's apartment building and townhomes definitely evoke the urban renewal work of Mies in Lafayette Park in Detroit. With the problems Detroit is facing right now, you can pick up Mies-designed townhomes for $100K here and here.

Modern Snapshot: Modern Capital in Los Angeles

2009-12-13T21:53:00.009-05:00

It's cold and raining out. Here are few shots from my trip to LA in June to warm you up.

Saturated image of the Eames House in Pacific Palisades. Would like to be there right now.

Sign showing the way to the Welton Becket-designed mid-century modern hotel opened in 1953.

The 1961 Theme Building at LAX getting a facelift. Designed by a team at Pereira and Luckman.

One of the many modern residential designs at the beach in Venice.

Mid-century apartment building says what is on everyone's mind in Venice.

1966 Raised Ranch in Silver Spring - $425K

2009-12-10T21:28:00.002-05:00

Here's a listing for an unassuming 4 bedroom/2 bath raised ranch with soaring wood-beamed ceilings and walls of glass in the living room. It sits on nearly a half acre here. You can view more images here.

New D.C. Metro Mid-Century Modern Flickr Pool

2009-12-10T20:26:00.002-05:00

Flat-roof Goodman in Hollin Hills.

Check out a new Flickr pool dedicated to mid-century modern architecture here in the D.C. area. Join and share your own shots of your favorite area MCM homes and buildings. I added a few shots, including this one above of a flat-roof Goodman in Hollin Hills. I took it during the 2008 Hollin Hills Home and Garden Tour and saturated the color to give it that vintage look. Thanks to Karl Ericson for launching the pool. Check out the set he started on vintage Goodman ads here.

Mid-Century Takoma Park Theater Destroyed by Fire

2009-12-07T21:05:00.005-05:00

The mid-century Allen Theater on New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park was destroyed by fire this weekend. The theater opened in 1951 and closed in 1990. The building had been housing a clothes and shoe store. The Just Up the Pike blog has good details and vintage photos here.

Two New Mid-Century Rambler Listings in Chevy Chase, Bethesda

2009-12-06T11:35:00.004-05:00

Here are two new listings from mid-century ramblers in Chevy Chase and Bethesda:

1956 4-bedroom in Somerset Heights - $1.35 million; Open 12/6 from 1 to 4 p.m.

1951 4-bedroom in Bannockburn - $849K

Charles Goodman's River Park Townhomes

2009-12-04T20:33:00.008-05:00

Here are a few shots of the townhomes in Charles Goodman's River Park in Southwest. The black and white shots pay homage to the work of the the late Robert C. Lautman, who was dean of Washington's architectural photographers and who regularly photographed the work of D.C.'s modern architects, including Goodman. (Lautman died in October at the age of 85. The National Building Museum hosted a memorial service tonight. View a slideshow of some of Lautman's iconic work.)

If you're interested in a barrel-roof Goodman townhome in River Park, which was commissioned by Reynolds Aluminum, there are two on the market. This one is listed at $389K and open this Sunday. This one is at $419K.

I still can't get over these decidedly non-modern storm doors.

1955 MCM in the Woods in Glen Arm, Maryland - $449K

2009-12-01T15:23:00.004-05:00

This MCM would be a close getaway for D.C. modern fans who like to hike and bike and want their mid-century home surrounded by a state park. The design of the 3/2.5 house located on 1.38 acres reminds me of a Deck House, but this home was designed in 1955 and the Deck House company was formed in 1959.

David Jameson Speaking at National Building Museum Tomorrow Evening (Dec. 1)

2009-11-30T13:12:00.008-05:00

Jameson's Jigsaw Residence in Bethesda

Alexandria-based architect David Jameson, FAIA, will discuss his exploration of proportion, volume, light, and material in projects including the BlackWhite House, Jigsaw Residence (see the pic I snapped yesterday above), and Hooper’s Island House. The event, part of the National Building Museum's Spotlight on Design series, will be held 6:30 to 8 p.m. You can buy tickets here.

1955 Vintage Mid-Century Rambler in Arcola - $385K

2009-11-28T08:11:00.003-05:00

Check out the vintage details in this 1955 mid-century 3/2 rambler in Wheaton's Arcola neighborhood.

Modern Snapshot: St. Mary's Church in Rockville

2009-11-26T19:00:00.001-05:00

St. Mary's Church in Rockville is very historic. Founded in 1813, it's original building was built in 1817 and was the first brick Catholic church in the country. It is the oldest church in Rockville still in use and is the site of the graves of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda. In 1960, the congregation of this Georgian-style building built a new, space agey church right next door that looks like it just landed or is ready to launch. In 1966, efforts to raze the original church were blocked, now giving us this interesting and stark contrast in architectural styles.

Giving Thanks

2009-11-26T06:00:00.006-05:00

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and to say thank you for reading the past three years. I also want to thank my wife and kids for putting up with my obsession. I'll try not to blog today, but I can't promise.

Vintage Goodman Advertisements

2009-11-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

Local MCM fan and winner of Modern Capital's recent contest Karl Ericson has put together a nice Flickr pool of vintage newspaper ads promoting homes and communities designed by Charles Goodman, including the one above heralding Rock Creek Woods. Thanks Karl.

Modern Snapshot: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy‎ Building

2009-11-21T19:22:00.010-05:00

Here is a slideshow of the 1960 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy building at 3615 Wisconsin Ave. I like the abundance of stone, glass and tile. Still not sure who designed this. Anyone have any ideas?

Open House: 1966 Harold Esten-Designed MCM in Bethesda - $1.175 Million

2009-11-20T08:15:00.001-05:00

I had an opportunity to sit down with architect Harold Esten the other day in his home in Hammond Wood, the Charles Goodman community in Silver Spring. I asked him about the design of this 1966 mid-century modern in Mohican Hills I am listing. The first thing he said was that "a good house needs good clients and they [the Jaspers, the original and current owners] were good clients." Esten said he sited the house on the lot to save a number of the large trees you see above and to maximize privacy. One of the most unique features of the flat-roof home is what Esten describes as a "lantern to illuminate the house." The soaring glass and wood "lantern" sits over the library/conservatory. I'll be holding the house, located here, open this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. More on Esten and some of his other local designs coming soon.

1965 'As Is' Waterview Cluster Townhome in Reston - $343K

2009-11-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

I just helped Modern Capital readers close on a townhome by Chloethiel Woodard Smith in Waterview Cluster on Lake Anne in Reston. Here's another one on the market in "As Is" condition. Anyone looking for a MCM project?

1960 Front-Gabled MCM in Stratford Landing - $499K

2009-11-18T22:13:00.005-05:00

This listing is for one of the nearly dozen "Model D" mid-century moderns located along Camden Street in Stratford Landing south of Alexandria. The 3/2 one-level house has no windows facing the street except for the glass surrounding the front door, a low-pitched, front-gabled roof, open floor plan and carport waiting for that sweet vintage ride.

Modern Snapshot: Fall in Charles Goodman's Hammond Wood

2009-11-18T22:01:00.003-05:00

A shot from a few days ago in Hammond Wood in Silver Spring.

Price Drop: 1951 Vintage Flat-Roof MCM in Owings Mills - $707K

2009-11-16T20:33:00.005-05:00

After seeing this vintage MCM on nearly six wooded acres, I want to move Modern Capital headquarters north a bit to Owings Mills near Baltimore. Check out the original St. Charles metal kitchen cabinets, wood-walled dining room, nifty built-ins and clerestory windows. Oh, did I mention this has dropped from $745K after less than a month on the market. As reality sets in, and I come to terms with the fact that I'm not really going to buy this place, I would love to help someone who seriously wants to. Would you let me visit every now and then?

Charles Goodman's Oak Forest in Vienna

2009-11-13T21:06:00.006-05:00

I finally found Oak Forest. It is the last of the nine Charles Goodman builder projects in the D.C. area that I had not yet seen or written about. I saw eight or so modest, one-level Goodmans with signature exterior brick fireplaces on Acorn Circle and Cedar Lane in Vienna, Va. A few other homes on Acorn may have been modified beyond recognition or replaced the original Goodmans. The one pictured above just went under contract. The 3 bedroom/1.5 bath home located here was listed at $385K. I would have taken more pictures but it was pouring. Next time.

Price Drop: 1961 Vintage MCM in Charred Oak Estates - $725K; Open 11/15

2009-11-13T15:42:00.006-05:00

I'll be holding my listing in Charred Oak Estates in Bethesda open this Sunday (Nov. 15) from 2 to 4 p.m. The price is down to $725K. Here's the original post I did on the 1961 award-winning design.

Modern in Lake Barcroft Hosting Arts Festival This Weekend - $1.899 Million

2009-11-11T07:12:00.014-05:00

This 4 bedroom/4.5 bath modern in Lake Barcroft I first wrote about in January is now finished and back on the market. The owners will be hosting local and regional artists Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. as a way to showcase the modern space overlooking the lake. Located here if you plan to go.